ONLY 38% of parents consider themselves to be extremely knowledgeable about tire maintenance.

Automobile accidents are the No. 1 killer of teens in the U.S., with more than 2,600 deaths each year.[1] What's more, of the 2.2 million accidents per year among inexperienced drivers, 12% can be attributed to tire-related issues, such as insufficient tread or pressure.[4] Even so, few driver's education programs offer instruction of tire maintenance and tire safety.

Automobile accidents are the No. 1 killer of teens in America.[1]

of teens say they let others take responsibility for the maintenance of the vehicle.[2]

Of teens say they are knowledgeable about tire maintenance.[2]

Of teen drivers say they are responsible for the maintenance on the car they drive most often.[2]

Have the Conversation About Safety

When it comes to road safety, you can't control the other drivers or road conditions, but one thing you can control is proper maintenance of your vehicle and tires. Here are some things to go over with your teen drivers.

Simple Steps Can Save Lives

When it comes to road safety, you can't control the other drivers or road conditions, but one thing you can control is proper maintenance of your vehicle and tires. To help you remember what to check and when, Michelin and FIA have put together five simple tips to help you stay safe on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need New Tires?

Do driving habits affect the life of my tires?

Yes. Here are several tips to help increase the life of your tires: Don’t speed. High speeds can generate excessive heat, which can increase the rate of tire wear. Drive the safe, legal speed limit. Avoid fast turns on curves and around corners. Avoid fast starts and panic stops. Don’t ride on the edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, potholes, or other obstructions.

What should I look for when inspecting my tires?

In addition to performing regular maintenance, you must also keep an eye out for potential problems that might affect your tires. Regular inspections can help you prevent tire trouble, and keep you rolling safely down the road. When inspecting your tires, look for: Uneven tread wear : This can include more wear on one tread edge than the other, a rippled pattern of high and low wear, or exposed steel wire. Uneven wear can be caused by problems such as underinflation, misalignment and improper balancing. Shallow tread : Bald tires tend to skid and slide on the pavement, and are more likely to be damaged by potholes and other road hazards. The tread on your tire should be at least 2/32 of an inch deep. If it isn’t, the tire must be replaced. To help you see tread problems, tires have built-in “tread wear indicators.” These are narrow bars of smooth rubber that run across the tread: When the tread is even with the bars, it is worn down to the minimum level and must be replaced immediately. You can also perform a simple test using a US penny. Put the edge of the coin into the tread, with Lincoln going in head first. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread, that’s good. If the top of his head is entirely visible, it’s time to replace the tire.

How do you know how old your tires are?

Each tire has a required Department of Transportation (DOT) number imprinted on at least one of its sidewalls. That number begins with the letters "DOT" and may contain up to 12 additional numbers and letters. The first and last digits are the most important: The first two letters or numbers identify the tire’s manufacturer and plant code. Prior to the year 2000, the last 3 digits of a DOT number represented the week (2 digits) and the year (1 digit) of production. So if the last three digits are 439, the tire was produced in the 43rd week of 1999. Tires produced after January 1, 2000, have a 4-digit date code at the end of the DOT number. The first 2 digits represent the week of production and the last 2 digits represent the last 2 digits of the year of production. So, 3500 indicates the tire was produced in the 35th week of the year 2000.

When should worn tires be replaced?

Worn tires should be replaced by trained personnel when 2/32nds of an inch of tread depth remains, as indicated by tread wear indicators molded into the tread grooves. Use of worn out tires [less than 2/32nds inch (1.6 mm) remaining of tire tread depth] increases the probability of tire failure, and in wet conditions can cause the tire to lose traction suddenly. In most states, it is illegal to drive with less than 2/32nds of an inch of remaining tread depth.

Can I mix tire types on my car?

For best all-around performance, the same type tire should be used on all four-wheel positions. Tires of different size designations, constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. NOTE: Some vehicles are intentionally fitted with different size tires on front and rear.

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1. Tire Tread

Hold a penny with Abraham Lincoln's body between your thumb and forefinger. Place Lincoln's head first into the deepest-looking groove. Can you see all of his head? If yes, your tires are too worn - don't drive on them and get them replaced.

2. Tire Pressure

Buy a tire pressure gauge, if you don't have one already. Open your car door and on the inside jamb you should see a sticker - take a picture on your smartphone of the number that says "PSI" (the measurement for tire pressure). Use the pressure gauge to check your tires (make sure you check when they are cold). Compare the number on the gauge to the number you wrote down. If above, let air out of your tires. If below, inflate until the numbers match.

3. Brake Lights

Turn on your car. Have a friend or parent stand behind the car. Step on the brake pedal. Does your friend see both lights? If not, you should replace the bulb or fuse. If you don't know how, get a professional to do it.

4. Wipers

Windshield wiper blades need to be replaced periodically to ensure optimum visibility. Replace them at least yearly if you live in a sunny/hot or cold region, and twice a year if you live in a dusty or dry region. Clean wiper blades periodically with rag or alcohol wipe to maintain their performance.

5. Fluids

Oil:
Open the hood of your car. Find the oil dipstick, remove it and wipe it down with a rag or paper towel. Put back the dipstick - make sure you push it in as far as it will go. Pull out the dipstick again - if the film of oil does not reach the markings, add more oil. Check your driver's manual to see how often you should replace your oil.

Coolant:
Open the hood of your car. Find the coolant tank- this is usually next to the radiator. If the coolant doesn't reach the "minimum" fill line, fill it with a coolant/water solution (the ratio for this will be in your car's driver manual).
Warning: Never open the radiator cap on a hot car! Wait until the car has cooled down first.

1: Monthly Tire Inspection

Inspect the tread and pressure in your tires once a month to ensure they are performing at optimum capacity.

2: Check the Tire Tread

At least once a month perform the penny test to determine if your tire treads are too worn.

3: Check the Tire Pressure

Buy a tire pressure gauge

Determine your car's PSI

Check the pressure in cold tires

Inflate or deflate your tires to match the appropriate PSI

4: Check the Oil

Open the hood of your car

Find the oil dipstick, remove and wipe it down

Put back the dipstick – pushing as far as possible

Pull out the dipstick again – if the film of oil does not reach the markings, add more oil

5: Change Window Wiper Blades

Windshield wiper blades need to be replaced periodically to ensure optimum visibility. Replace them yearly if you live in a dusty or dry region. Clean wiper blades with a rag to maintain their performance.